Monday, April 19, 2010

a little project to share

I love it when I can take something practical and add some embroidery to it - or embroider something and turn it into something practical. Whichever way you look at it, it always makes me happy when I can pull it off. I had this idea recently to make a hanging wall mirror framed in an embroidery hoop. It would be perfectly fine if it were made with a pretty cotton print but you know me, I had to add some embroidery just for fun. This one says, "Well now, don't you look cute today!" Who wouldn't want to see that when they looked in the mirror?

Here's how to make one of your very own:

You will need: three fabric squares (all the same fabric or three different fabrics - it's up to you.) I used squares that were 11 inches by 11 inches. You will need a piece for the front (I used light blue linen), a piece for the facing (I used the dark floral shown here) and a piece for the backside(I used regular muslin)

an 8 inch embroidery hoop

embroidery floss/needle

6 inch round mirror

interfacing if you like (I like! - I used it on the back of my linen and on the muslin for the back)

If you plan to add any embroidered accents do your stitching before you cut your fabric. Be sure to take into account where the hoop and the mirror will be placed.

Cut the center holes in your front fabric and facing fabric according to the cut guide (the 4 inch center circle)Here is the guide that shows all the circle measurements you will need to know:

Pin the facing and the front fabric together - right sides together.

Sew the fabrics together 1/2 inch from the circle opening. Because I used interfacing on the back side I simply followed the edge of it as I stitched.

Cut notches just up to the seam line taking care not to cut into the seam. This will help your fabric lie flatter.

Turn the facing fabric under through the circle opening so that the wrong sides are now together.

Give your fabrics a quick press.

Layer your fabrics with the backing fabric on the bottom and pin them together. You will be stitching a line 1/2 inch from the mirror opening. I used a water erasable marker to mark my stitch line.

Start stitching along your stitch line. Only stitch half of the circle because you still need to insert your mirror.

After half of the circle is stitched insert your mirror and carefully finish stitching around the circle securing the mirror in place.

Finish your mirror by securing your fabrics in your 8 inch hoop. You could trim the excess fabric on the back or use a running stitch along the edge and cinch it tightly to keep it gathered in the back.I used a matching grosgrain ribbon as a hanger.

I would love to try this with some different embellishing techniques - maybe add a topstitch around the mirror opening, use some felt flowers or buttons, or even a patchwork design for the front. As usual, I have more ideas than I have time to try. If you try this project I would love to see how you made it special and unique!

As with every tutorial I have posted: please let me know if any part of this is unclear or if you have any questions. Enjoy!

Hey thanks for all the kind words everyone. I actually made this mirror awhile back and didn't get the instructions written until just recently. I wasn't sure if I would post it or not - I had a lot of uncertainty about it. (A small confidence crisis seems to come hand in hand with every new project!). But I am delighted to hear that people like it. :DOh, the font I used is called 'noodlescript'.